Décors Barbares: The Enchanting Interiors of Nathalie Farman-Farma

I bought this book because interested in all things Russian and Central Asian. However, barely through a quarter of the book, I was gagging : picture after picture of beautiful things, but in overkill amounts, pattern after layered pattern, flounces, cushions all over, piles of folk clothes, bright porcelain layered on more pattern. The overall effect was revisiting over cluttered 1980s Laura Ashley interiors gone Russian Folksy.I known maximalism is with the times, but this borders on unoriginal kitsch. Also it makes one question the whole interior decorator/designer legitimacy. It caters to the wealthy but ignorant, marketing "arte povera" found in local East european and Central Asian markets for pennies into something "exclusive" ( horrible word). The locals would choke if they knew how much their goods are being resold for in the West. Seriously, if interested in Russian Interiors, try Russian Houses by Elizabeth Gaynor and Kari Haavisto, Evergreen. Far more interesting.

I started off wanting to return this book but that process was so complicated it sat on my shelves and I gradually became aware of its charm. The disadvantage is this book shows only 4 interiors decorated by the author. However once you get passed that there are some delightful visuals. I'd already come across Natalie in Haute Bohemians so it is a bit of a cheat that one of the four homes was featured there as well. However ... this book really allows Natalie's Mittel Europa vision to shine and I have to say I finished up pleased that I'd kept the book. So give Natalie five stars. I hope this book will draw other people to hire her to fill their homes with these intense, charming prints so that in a few years she can put out another book with other people's homes.

Several projects did not ring "me", but really a study in fierce individuality.Kudos!

¡¡ Que pena que no esté traducido al español ¡¡

Je connais l’auteure depuis qu’elle a trois ans ! Tout ce qu’elle écrit et présente, est parfait. Merci Nathalie pour un livre de décorations superbes. Je l’ai acheté pour Mel mais je l’ai bien lu avant de le lui donner. Continue sur ce chemin avec tant de goût.